CHAPTERTHREE
FORD
My sister wasa force to be reckoned with, and this last-minute festival she’d helped Beck throw together was proof enough of that. She’d also somehow talked two dozen eligible bachelors—only three of whom were her brothers—into donating their time for the auction, and she’d enlisted all the unattached parties in town to attend and spend their hard-earned money on us.
Unsurprisingly, Starlight Cove showed up in droves. But that was what this town did when it came to a good cause. And since the proceeds were going to Everly Bowman—a new-ish Starlight Cove transplant and my twin’s complete obsession—in the hope that we’d raise enough money so she could rebuild her vet clinic after a tragic fire, that fit the bill.
On Addison’s orders, Beck and I stood in the grass behind the gazebo as other auctions carried on to the excitement of the crowd. My sister was running this like a military boot camp, barking orders to anyone who would listen—and even those who wouldn’t. She was barely over five feet tall, but she still managed to have grown-ass men eating out of the palm of her hand. Except for Brady and Aiden, anyway. The former had gotten out of this because he was already spoken for, and Luna wouldn’t stand for someone else going on a date with her man. The latter…if I had to guess, I’d say he had something to hang over Addison’s head and threatened to use it if she made him take part in the auction.
Unfortunately, the rest of us McKenzies didn’t have an out.
Levi had already sold his soul to the devil and then gotten the fuck out as soon as possible. That only left Beck and me.
“I’m going to kill Addison for making me do this,” he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest as he split his attention between glaring at our sister and staring out at the crowd, no doubt searching for Everly.
“I figured you’d be a lot less grumpy, considering this is all for your girl.”
“That’s exactly the problem,” he said. “My girlis out there thinking I’m up here for a date. All because Addison decided that was how it was going to be. Apparently she didn’t get the memo that I’m not an eligible bachelor.”
“No one got that memo, man. You aren’t exactly transparent about your and Everly’s…situation.”
“Oh, so it’s my fault Everly’s standing out there thinking I’m selling myself off to the highest bidder, all because I didn’t tell Addison I’m in love with my best friend?”
“I thought I was your best friend.”
He slid his gaze to me, his lips pressed in a thin line, and I didn’t even try to hold in my laugh.
“It’ll be fine,” I said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “She’ll find out soon enough the only thing they’re bidding on is your blueberry scone recipe, and the only woman you’re interested in is her.”
He gestured toward the crowd where Everly stood, looking a bit lost. “And in the meantime, she’s thinking the worst.”
“Nah, man. Going straight to the worst isyourwheelhouse, not hers. She’s fine.”
“She better be. I should’ve…”
“What?Youwere the one who wanted to keep it a secret.”
“That was before I realized Addison’s sole purpose in life was to piss me off.”
“You just now realized that?”
“Oh, relax, Beck,” Addison said from behind us, the eye roll clear in her tone. “Everyone who’s bidding on you knows the only thing they’re getting is your recipe, so your virtue is safe. You can unclench. And I promise Everly will forgive you when you tell her we’re actually raising money for her.” She tucked her clipboard under her arm, planted two hands on his back, and shoved him toward the steps of the gazebo. “Now, get your grumpy ass out there and earn her some money.”
After shooting a scowl at Addison over his shoulder, Beck climbed the steps of the gazebo and walked out to the excitement of the crowd as the auctioneer introduced him, carefully explaining exactly what the bidders would be getting without cluing Everly in on the secret.
“You’re the last one. You ready?” Addison asked without looking up, too busy making notes on her clipboard. She just needed a headset and she’d be totally in her element.
“Born ready.”
She tapped the corner of the clipboard against my chest. “Andthatis why you’re my favorite brother today.”
“Just today?”
She lifted a single shoulder. “It changes on a whim.”
“I figured Levi would be your favorite right now, considering how much cash his auction brought in.”
She hummed, tipping her head side to side. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m thrilled with his total. But don’t think I don’t know that you two have a bet going about who’ll earn the most tonight. And don’t think I also don’t know that you’ve already lost one bet this week, so you’re certainly not going to lose another.”
